#steelydan

Today, Bruce Wallner checks in to discuss the "Best Canadian Sommelier" and the rigours this poor candidate had to endure to take the win. Bruce also updates us on The  Somm Factory's upcoming course schedule.  Also,  I speak with Ronnie Littlejohn, JAZZ.FM’s host of  The Gumbo Kitchen. Ronnie's Friday evening  show explores New Orleans jazz, swampy funk, second-line brass bands and more. However, Ronnie and I discuss how he ended up being a DJ for this popular Toronto radio mainstay (and his disdain of Steely Dan - unbelievable!). 

Every year musicians put out great music and in 1980 and 1990 there was so much changing in music. So we wanted to revisit these 2 years and play what rock and pop had to offer up. Sit back, clean the house, or do whatever it is you do when listening to Rock Phoenix Live and enjoy 80 vs 90. 

Sinead O Conner- Nothing Compares 2 U 

Queen- Another One Bites The Dust

Scorpions- Dont Believe Her

Pat Benetar- Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Green Day- Only Of You

Billy Joel- You May Be Right

Depeche Mode- Enjoy The Silence

Motorhead- Ace Of Spades

Alice In Chains- Man In A Box

Blondie- The Tide Is High

AC/DC- Thunderstruck

AC/DC- You Shook Me All Night Long

Billy Idol- Cradle Of Love

Steely Dan- Hey Nineteen

Bad Religion- 21st Century Digital Boy

Judas Priest- Breaking The Law

Queensryche- Best I Can

Jackson Browne- Boulevard

Pantera- Cemetery Gates

Ozzy Osbourne- Crazy Train

Phil Collins- Misunderstanding 

Being the only episode without music, Chris and Tim analyze each non hit from the Royal Scam and rank their top three. While they discuss the hits, they've excluded Kid Charlemagne, The Fez and Haitian Divorce from the rankings. 

For some background into  their musical tastes, Chris has been a huge Rush fan for most of his life, and Tim could say the same about Phish. For them, the indulgence of this podcast stems from learning more about the deeper cuts from albums they’ve either overlooked or are familiar with but dismissed for whatever reason. 

They start with Steely Dan because the musicianship is up their with their favorite bands and there’s little drop off in quality from their radio songs to the lesser known songs. 

“One could argue Aja is their best album, but The Royal Scam our favorite for reasons we explain in the show.  This is the first episode either of us have ever done, and we’re grateful to all of our listeners. Over time, we hope to build upon the creation of our show by connecting with our listers through our social media groups, our website and live podcasts when the opportunity presents itself. We hope you enjoy!”

Chris and Tim

Doobie Brothers drummer Ed Toth talks about rehearsals for the upcoming 50th Anniversary shows with the Doobie Brothers & Michael McDonald, the trippy experience of joining the band having been fan of them growing up, the anomaly that is the band Little Feat and they’re connection to the DB’s,  Producer Ted Templeman working with the DB’s & Van Halen, his time with Vertical Horizon and the college radio scene of the late 90’s-early 2000’s, our mutual love for Tower of Power, the magic of seeing The Police and Journey in the 80’s, & much more!